Irrigation, debridement and cleaning basin

ABSTRACT

A basin for use in at least one of irrigation, debridement, cleaning and other procedures on a subject&#39;s appendage includes a flexible body including one or more walls. A first wall can define an appendage contour, which can flex under the weight of the appendage, providing a comfortable seat that conforms to the subject&#39;s appendage. The body can be a monolithic, one-piece structure constructed from a closed cell foam. The body can include integral stiffening structures that enhance its rigidity yet still enable the basin to be flexible when adjacent another appendage or body portion. The basin can include a sloped bottom to direct fluids toward an outlet port for draining, and baffles projecting from the bottom. The basin can include a reticulated foam insert positioned adjacent the bottom, on the baffles, where the insert minimizes splash back yet adequately captures debris and other items washed from the appendage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to basins for use in medical,hospital, healthcare, nursing, and other facilities, and in particular,a portable basin constructed from a generally flexible material.

There are two general types of basins commonly used in hospitals andother medical or healthcare facilities for collecting fluids fromirrigation, debridement washing, and other procedures. The first type isa fixed basin that is incorporated into a sink or washing fixture. Thisfixed basin is suitable for use with a person having few or no mobilityissues. The second type is a portable basin which typically is used inemergency rooms and trauma centers for wound irrigation on persons whogenerally are immobilized.

Most portable basins are constructed from a hard plastic, are generallyin a bowl or box shape, and include a narrow rounded upper rim. In use,a user places an appendage of a subject over the upper rim of the basinand irrigates an area of the appendage with fluids. The fluids drain offthe appendage and into the basin. Any flesh, bone or debris likewise iscollected in the bottom of the basin.

Most conventional basins are of a simple construction and generally notwell engineered for patient comfort. While the upper rims of same basinsinclude a limb-supporting indentation—which can reduce pressure on thelimb and prevent bruising and/or numbness—others do not.

An example of a basin including a limb-supporting indentation is U.S.Pat. No. 6,609,257 to O'Geary. O'Geary discloses a basin includingindentations in its upper rim that form opposing, same-sized seatswithin which an appendage may be positioned to offer some comfort.Because the basin is constructed of plastic or metal, it is believedthat even with the seats, the patient undergoes some discomfort duringuse of the basin.

O'Geary also addresses another issue with basins by providing agravity-fed, centrally-located drain hole and a micro filter pad. Themicro filter pad traps debris, bone fragments, and other items washedinto the basin. The issue with this construction, however, is that thedebris capture space is relatively small and might become clogged.Further, the hard basin bottom may cause splash back of fluids that fallinto the basin. This can be undesirable, as contaminated body fluids maysplash back into the wound or onto the healthcare provider using thebasin.

Another issue with conventional basins is they are usually constructedto be mass produced, which typically results in the dimensions andconfigurations not being ergonomically suitable to all patients. Forexample, many irrigation basins are of a rounded bowl or box shapedconfiguration. When such basins are used adjacent other appendages, theadjacent appendage must be re-positioned, many times in an awkwardposition to accommodate the surgical basin. This can be uncomfortablefor the patient, and it can be difficult for the healthcare provider tomaintain the positioning.

Although conventional surgical basins serve an intended purpose, thatis, they collect bodily fluids washed from body appendages, thereremains room for improving their structure, function and ergonomicproperties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A basin is provided including a body that is ergonomically conforming toa subject's appendage, and which provides ease of use in irrigation,debridement, cleaning and other procedures on a subject's appendage.

In one embodiment, the basin can be constructed from a flexible materialthat is impermeable to fluids. Optionally, the flexible material can bea foam, for example, a closed cell foam, that is generally rigid enoughto maintain its structural configuration, yet flexible enough toreactively conform to a user's appendage positioned in the basin.

In another embodiment, the body can include one or more walls. The bodycan include an end wall defining an appendage contour, which can beflexible enough so that it changes slightly in dimension when under theweight of the appendage, generally conforming to the subject'sappendage. Optionally, the appendage contour can provide a comfortableseat within which the subject's appendage rests, and further optionallycan provide a slight clamping effect on the subject's appendage.

In still another embodiment, the body can be tapered from end to end toprovide enhanced comfort to the subject, and to accommodate multipleappendage types and sizes, as well as multiple procedures.

In yet another embodiment, the basin can include integral stiffeningstructures that enhance its rigidity yet still enable the body to beselectively yieldable and/or flexible when adjacent another appendage orother portion of the subject's body. Optionally, the stiffeningstructures can be in the form of walls that taper inwardly from bottomto top. Further optional stiffening structures can be in the form ofgrooves extending upwardly along one or more walls of the body. Evenfurther optionally, the basin can include a peripheral flange extendingalong a lower portion of one or more walls of the basin, projectinggenerally laterally therefrom. The peripheral flange can add stabilityto the walls of the basin body.

In still yet another embodiment, the basin can include a sloped bottomto direct fluids toward an outlet port for draining. Optionally, thebottom can include baffles extending upwardly from the bottom to slowthe flow of fluids and aid in allowing items to precipitate out from theflowing fluids.

In even another embodiment, the basin can include a reticulated foaminsert. This insert can be positioned adjacent the bottom, optionally onand supported by the baffles. Generally, the insert can be held in placeprimarily by gravity. The insert can minimize splash back of fluids thatflow from the subject's appendage into the basin. The insert can alsoadequately capture most debris and other items washed from theappendage.

In a further embodiment, the body can be configured to taper fromenlarged dimensions in a lower portion to reduced dimensions in an upperportion so that multiple, like configured basins can be stacked one uponthe other, in an inter-nesting manner, with portions of the body of alower basin projecting at least partially into a cavity of an upperbasin, to reduce the volume of space occupied by multiple stackedbasins.

The basin described herein comfortably supports, and in some casesconforms to, appendages of a subject when used in irrigation,debridement, cleaning and other procedures. The flexible body canreadily and comfortably be used on appendages where the basin ispositioned adjacent another appendage or body portion. Where included,the insert can reduce splash back and can promote efficient collectionof desired items washed from the appendage. Where the basin body tapers,this enables multiple basins to be stacked one atop the other, which inturn can conserve storage space and facilitate transport of the multiplebasins.

These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention willbe more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the descriptionof the current embodiment and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a current embodiment of a basin;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the basin;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the basin taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the basin taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the basin;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the basin;

FIG. 7 is an end view of the basin;

FIG. 8 is another end view of the basin;

FIG. 9 is yet another end view of the basin with a subject's appendagetherein; and

FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating multiple stacked basins.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT I. Overview

A current embodiment of the basin of is shown in FIGS. 1-10 andgenerally designated 10. The basin 10 includes a body 20 which generallydefines a receptacle 30. The body 20 can include end walls 22, 24,opposing side walls 26, 28 and a bottom 32. The end walls can definefirst and second appendage contours 42, 44, which can be aligned inparallel along a longitudinal axis 68 (FIG. 5). The first and secondappendage contours 42, 44 can be of the same or different sizes,optionally with the first appendage contour 42 larger than the secondappendage contour so that the different contours are compatible withdifferent ends of appendages that taper from one end to the other, or sothat the different contours individually fit different sized appendages,with the appendage overlying only one contour. As used herein, appendagemeans any part that projects from an animal or human body, such as alimb, head or other extremity.

The end walls 22,24 side walls 26, 28 and bottom optionally can beconstructed from one or more layers of a generally flexible andcompliant material. One suitable material is a foam, such as a closedcell foam. With this construction, the basin 10 can readily conform toan appendage being treated in the basin. For example, where a subject'sarm or leg is positioned in the appendage contours 42, 44, thosecontours can generally conform to the subject's arm or leg. If enoughdownward force is placed on the contour by the arm or leg, the sides ofthe contour can begin to flex inwardly slightly, and optionally providea slight clamping effect on the subject's arm or leg (FIG. 9). Theclamping effect optionally does not exert more than 0.5-5 pounds oflateral force, and indeed can be magnitudes significantly less thanthat, in the order of ounces or less. In general, the contour can flexsomewhat to provide a comfortable seat within which the appendage rests.

The bottom 32 of the basin 10 can be sloped toward an outlet port 35 sothat fluids contacting the bottom 32 can flow by gravity toward thatport. The port can be defined by an end wall 22, 24 so that a conduit 36projecting from the basin 10 is generally aligned with the longitudinalaxis 68 of the body 20. In such a construction, the conduit can bealigned with the appendage positioned in the basin 10, and can beoriented toward the end of a table or bed on which the basin is placed.In some situations, this may be more suitable than a side wall port andrelated conduit extending from the side of the basin so that a user ofthe basin need not reorient or inadvertently disrupt the conduit. Ofcourse, in other situations, such a side wall mounted port may be moresuitable.

The various walls of the body 20 also can be configured to taper from alower portion 27 to an upper portion 25. The body 20 can also beconfigured to define a cavity 65 (FIG. 6) on its underside so thatmultiple, like basins can be stacked one upon the other in aninter-nesting manner. This can decrease the amount of storage space foran inventory of the basins, and can further facilitate transport of alarge number of basins.

The basin 10 can also include a filtering insert 70 positioned in thereceptacle 30. The insert can be porous, yet can include a structurethat captures debris, bone and other items washed by fluids into thefilter. Optionally, the insert can be constructed from an open cellreticulated foam.

II. Construction

The basin 10, and more particularly, the body 20, can include end walls22, 24, opposing side walls 26, 28 and a bottom 32. These structureswill now be described in more detail.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the body 20 can be formed from a somewhatflexible material, for example, a closed cell foam. All of the walls,the bottom and other structures also can be integrally formed so thatthe basin is a monolithic one-piece, self-supporting structure that isvoid of any internal or external attached supports. As used herein,“foam” can be any type of generally flexible foam or foam-like material.Suitable examples include polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene,polyurethane and other closed cell foams. Additional suitable examplesinclude foams sold under the trade names VOLARA® or MINICEL®, availablefrom Seikisui America Corporation of Lawrence, Mass. Of course, otherclosed cell foams and materials having similar properties can be used aswell, for example, closed cell foams from Armacell LLC of Mebane, N.C.Optionally, other materials, such as metals, composites and/or plastics,including high density polyethylene, polypropylene, and other polymers,may be suitable for constructing the basin and its components as well.

The basin 20 and all of its components can also be constructed generallyfrom one or more contiguous layers of material, for example, a layer offlexible foam. The layer 63 (FIGS. 3-4) can vary in thickness from wallto wall and component to component or can be generally the same,depending on the application. Moreover, the thickness can vary or can bethe same within each individual wall and/or component. As shown, thelayer 63 is generally of a homogeneous thickness T1 throughout the body20, with the exception of the peripheral flange 60. This thickness canbe ⅛″, ¼″, ½″, ⅝″, ¾″, or other thicknesses, greater, less or betweenany of the aforementioned thicknesses.

The foam used to construct the basin also can be generally impermeableto water, and optionally can have low to no water absorption and vaportransmission. The foam can also have a density of about 1 to 6 pounds,or optionally 4 pounds, per cubic foot Again, other densities of foam ormaterial can be used, depending on the application. If a polyethylene orpolypropylene foam is used, it can be a chemically cross linked orirradiated cross linked or non cross linked polyethylene foam. The foamalso can include cell walls, or surfaces of bubbles that form the foam,that are generally unbroken, and that may be filled with a gas ifdesired.

As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the basin 10 includes first and second end walls22 and 24. The first end wall 22 generally includes the first appendagecontour 42. This appendage contour 42 can be of a size that generallyconforms to any number of desired appendages, for example, an arm, aleg, a head, and/or portions of the foregoing. Optionally, the size ofthis appendage contour can differ from that of the appendage contour 44on the opposing side 24 of the basin as described below. The descriptionof features for the second appendage contour 44 at the second end wall24 is generally the same as that of the description of features for theappendage contour 42 of the first end wall 22. The second end wallappendage contour, however, may differ in that it may be sizeddifferently. For example, width and/or depth of the second appendagecontour 44 may be scaled less than or greater than the width and/or thatof the first appendage contour 42 at a predetermined ratio depending onthe use of the basin.

Returning to the appendage contour 42, this contour can include a firstside portion 43 and a second side portion 45 which generally oppose oneanother across the longitudinal axis 68 of the basin or some otherpredefined plane or line. The appendage contour 42 and the respectiveside portions 43 and 45 can form a variety of geometric shapes. Forexample, the appendage contour, when viewed from an end of the basin 10,can be semi-circular, semi-elliptical, parabolic or of virtually anyother shape. In many cases, the geometric configuration is comfortableto the subject when their appendage is placed within the appendagecontour.

The end wall 22 can include an inner wall 21 and an end wall outer wall23. These walls of the end wall 22 can be generally connected via thefirst appendage contour 42 as well as other portions of the end wall. Asillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the end wall inner wall 21 is separatedfrom and spaced distal from the second end wall outer wall 23. An openspace or cavity 47 is positioned between these inner and outer walls 21and 23, respectively. In general, this cavity or space 47 is contiguouswith and forms part of cavity 65 that extends around the periphery ofthe basin 10, and extends under all of the respective end walls 22, 24and side walls 26, 28 as described in further detail below.

Returning to FIG. 3, the end wall 22, and in particular, the appendagecontour 42 can include a first inner portion 41 and an outer portion 48.These inner and outer portions 41 and 48 can be generally connected by asupport panel 49 which can form the surface upon which the subjectappendage is positioned. Although shown as generally flat, the supportpanel 49 can be curvilinear, concave or convex from the inner portion 41to the outer portion 48. The support panel 49 can be of selecteddimensions so that a suitable amount of pressure is placed on the user'sappendage when the user's appendage is resting within the appendagecontour 42. For example, at the lowermost portion of the appendagecontour, the support panel 49 can range from approximately 1″ to about6″, 2″ to about 4″ or about 3″ in width from inner wall 21 to outer wall23, or other dimensions as desired. The width of the support panel 49also can vary as the support panel transitions up the side portions 43and 45 as shown in FIG. 3.

Together, the inner wall 21, support panel 49 and outer wall 23generally bound the internal cavity 47 formed within the end wall.Further, the end wall inner wall 21 and end wall outer wall 23 arejoined with the appendage contour 42, and more specifically, with thesupport panel 49 at the inner and outer portions 41 and 48 of theappendage contour 42. These inner and outer walls 21 and 23 can supportand provide stability to the appendage contour 42, and moreparticularly, to the support panel 49, when a downward force is appliedto the appendage contour.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the inner and/or outer walls 21 and 23 cantaper outwardly, away from one another from the upper portion 25 to thelower portion 27 of the end wall 22. The rate at which the walls tapercan vary, depending on the application. Indeed, where other walls suchas the side walls 26, 28 include similar tapering configurations, thetapers of those walls can be the same as or can vary from the tapers ofthe inner and outer walls of the end walls 22, 24.

Although shown as having a single homogeneous thickness T₁, the innerand outer walls 21 and 23 of the end wall 22 can vary as desired. Forexample, certain portions of the wall can thickened to add structuralsupport where desired. Further, ribs or lattices or X configurations canbe added to the internal or external surfaces of the respective walls orpanels or other features of the basin to further add structural supportand stability to the body 10.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the appendage contour 42 of the first endwall 22 can optionally be aligned in parallel with the appendage contour44 of the opposing end wall 24. As mentioned above, the second appendagecontour 44 of the second end wall 24 can be of the same configuration asthe first appendage contour 42, or it can vary in size and dimension toaccommodate different limbs and different portions of appendages.

As shown in FIG. 2, the body 20 optionally can vary from a first heightH₁ near the first end wall 22 to a second height H₂ near the second endwall 24. The difference in height can be 1″ to several inches dependingon the application. Moreover, the height can vary abruptly, in a stoppedmanner, and/or in a constant manner from one end to the other. Thevariation in height can accommodate different limbs and intersections oflimbs with certain parts. With a variable height, H₁ and H₂, the basinbody 20 can accommodate different body parts and different portions ofbody parts of appendages. Of course, if desired, the basin body 20 canbe of a constant height from end to end.

Referring to FIG. 4, the sidewalls 26 and 28 of the basin 10 can connectand join the opposing end walls 22 and 24. With reference to FIG. 4, theside walls 26 and 28 can also include inner walls or interior walls 51and opposing exterior or outer walls 53. The inner walls can beseparated from one another with an open space or cavity 57 formedtherebetween. The cavity 57 may also be bounded by an upper wall portion59 of the side wall 28. This upper wall portion 59 can be located in theupper portion 25 of the side wall. This upper wall portion 59 can besloped from the end wall 22 downwardly toward the opposing end wall 24 apredetermined slope, or multiple predetermined slopes as shown in FIG. 2in transitioning from the first height H₁ to the second H₂ of the body20, as described above.

Optionally, one or more of the side walls 26, 28 and/or end walls 22, 24can include reinforcing grooves 29, which can add stability andstructural integrity to the respective walls in which they are defined.These structural grooves 29 can extend from an upper portion 25 to alower portion 27 of the respective wall within which it is defined.

The basin 10 optionally can include a peripheral flange 60 that extendsaround at least a periphery of the body 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 3-6.This peripheral flange 60 can extend outwardly away from the lowerportions 27 of the walls a pre-selected distance. This peripheral flangecan contact the surface upon which the basin is positioned, addingadditional strength and stability to the respective end walls and/orside walls. The flange 60 itself can extend out ¼″ to ½″, optionally an1″ or more from the respective walls to which it is attached. Althoughshown as a continuous peripheral flange 60, it may be segmented so thatit includes multiple peripheral flanges that extend outwardly from therespective walls in preselected regions as desired. The peripheralflange 60 may also be contiguous, formed from the layer of material thatforms the adjacent wall, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the basin 10, and in particular, the body definesa receptacle 30 which is bounded generally by the end walls 22 and 24and the side walls 26 and 28, along with the bottom 32. The receptaclecan be of sufficient dimension and depth to adequately capture fluidsapplied to an appendage being washed, irrigated or otherwise treatedover the basin 10. The receptacle 30 can generally be designed tocontain about 1 to 2 gallons of fluids, but of course, can vary involume as desired depending on the application.

The bottom 32, which generally bounds the lower portion of the lowerpart of the receptacle 30, can come in a variety of configurations, butgenerally is connected and joined with all of the lower portions 27 ofall of the end walls 22, 24 and side walls 26, 28. The bottom 32 can becontiguous and constructed from the same layer 63 of material as therespective side walls or end walls to which it is joined if desired. Thebottom 32 can generally slope from one end to the other end, forexample, from the first end 22 to the second end 24 as shown in FIG. 2so that fluids collected thereon generally flow via gravity toward thedownward slope end.

The bottom 32 optionally can also form multiple baffles 34 which extendinward from the respective side walls 26, 28 toward the longitudinalaxis 68 (FIG. 5). These baffles can be angled slightly toward one of theends. Optionally, the bottom can define a central channel 37 that leadsto the outlet port 35 defined in the basin 10. The channel 37 caninclude a v-shaped or flat bottom to further facilitate transport offluids toward the port. The baffles and bottom both can be constructedfrom a uniform thickness layer, similar to the other structures of thebasin such as the side walls and end walls. If desired, the baffles canbe absent, and the bottom can be flat and un-sloped.

The basin 10 optionally can include an outlet port 35, defined in atleast one of the bottom and the end walls. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and5, the end wall 24 defines an outlet port 35 at its lower portion andthrough both the inner and outer walls of the end wall 24. This port canprovide a passageway through which fluids collected on the bottom orgenerally within the receptacle 30 can be transported out from thereceptacle to another location or container. Optionally, the basin 10can be outfitted with the conduit 36 that attaches via a fitting to theoutlet port 35. The conduit can extend outwardly beyond the outerperiphery of the basin 10 to some designated storage location for fluidscollected by the basin. Although shown as being defined near the bottomthrough one of the end walls 24, the outlet port can be defined in thebottom 32 or one of the side walls 26 or 28. Of course, if desired, anoutlet port can be absent altogether from the surgical basin wherelimited fluids are likely to be captured by the basin 20.

Optionally, the outlet port as shown in FIG. 5 can be parallel with alongitudinal axis 68 of the basin 10, and in turn, can also be generallyaligned and parallel with the user's appendage.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the basin body 20 and the receptacle itself30 optionally can be of a particular shape, for example, a tear drop ortapered shape. With reference to FIG. 5, the width of the basin 10 atits uppermost portion of the walls can taper from a first width W₁ to asecond width W₂ in transitioning from near the first end wall 22 to nearthe second end wall 24. The width W₁ can be greater than the secondwidth W₂ by a predetermined scale, depending on the particularapplication. If desired, the basin also can include a reverse taper intransitioning from a width W₁ closer to the end wall 22. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 5, the width narrows from width W₁ to W₃ intransitioning even nearer to the end wall 22. With the optionalvariability in width, for example, the taper from one end to the other,the basin can be used with a wide variety of appendages, and can alsofit adjacent a variety of corresponding matching appendages. This can behelpful with larger patients as well as patients with trauma or injuryto other appendages which may need to undergo other proceduressimultaneously with the cleaning over the basin 10.

The basin 10 optionally can include an insert 70 which is placed in thereceptacle 30. The insert 70 can be held in place within the receptacle30 via the force of gravity. Of course, if other positioning mechanismsare desired, they can be added. As shown in FIG. 5, the insert 70 canrest upon the outer perimeter of the bottom as well as the uppersurfaces of the baffles 34. The insert can generally be ¼″, ½″, ¾″, 1″in thickness or greater or less depending on the particular application.The insert can be constructed from a variety of materials, such as openfabrics, mesh, screens, a fabric, a sponge-like material, or a foammaterial. Optionally, the insert can be constructed from an open cellfoam, and in particular, a reticulated open cell foam. This open cellfoam generally includes open pores that are interconnected. Generally,the “cell walls” or “bubbles” of the reticulated foam are broken leavinga skeletal structure of the foam. This type of foam can be a low densityfoam of approximately 1 to 4 pounds per cubic foot.

The insert 70 optionally is porous and permeable to fluids, andparticularly liquids, which can flow freely therethrough. Thepermeability of the insert can be selected to capture relatively smalldebris that is washed from a user's appendage in the basin 10. When thereticulated foam insert is used, it has been discovered that splash backis minimized while retention of debris and items of interest isincreased. The insert 70 can be constructed to cover the entire bottom32 of the basin from one end wall 22 to the other end wall 24, as wellas from one side wall 26 to the other side wall 28.

III. Method of Manufacture

To manufacture the basin 10 of the current embodiment, a mold isprovided. The mold generally includes features corresponding to each ofthe end walls 22, 24, side walls 26, 28 and bottom 32 described above.The mold is injected with a material, such as a foam material. The foammaterial is allowed to expand within the mold to acquire the desiredstructural configuration for the basin. The resulting basin is thenremoved from the mold and allowed to fully cure. After curing, the basinmay be trimmed and processed. For example, the peripheral flange may betrimmed. After trimming and any further processing, the basin 10 can besanitized and packaged.

Alternatively, pre-manufactured foam material can be provided in a rollform, and can be of a desired thickness. The material can be unrolled,heated and vacuum formed over a mold to provide a configurationcorresponding to the body of the basin. Like above, the molded basin canbe removed from the mold, cured, trimmed and further processed.

Alternatively, a pre-manufactured foam material can be provided in aroll or “bun” (block) form. If in block form the material can be slicedto a desired sheet thickness. Whether in a roll or sliced sheets, thematerial can be either preheated and placed into a cold male-female moldset, or the material can be placed cold into a heated male-female moldand compression molded to the desired configuration. Compression moldingcan allow for varying wall thicknesses of the finished basin. Likeabove, the molded basin can be removed from the mold, cured, trimmed andfurther processed.

Where used with the basin, the optional insert 70 can be molded in sheetform to desired dimensions and thickness, depending on the application.The insert can be cut from the sheet to correspond to the dimensions ofthe basin 10, for example, to correspond to the dimension andconfiguration of the bottom 32 of the basin. The insert can be installedin the finished basin 20 simply by placing it in the bottom. The insertcan be sanitized and packaged with the basin, or alternatively, theinsert can be sanitized and packaged separately.

The basin 20 and optional insert 70 can be packaged and sold as a kit.The kit can further include a conduit 36 and fittings for the conduit,and other irrigation, debridement or washing tools or devices suitablefor procedures in which the basin is used.

Where the basin walls, for example, the first and second end walls 22and 24 and the respective side walls 26 and 28 are tapered from thelower portion thereof to the upper portion thereof, multiple-like basinscan be stacked one upon the other. Such a stacked configuration isillustrated in FIG. 10. There, lower basins 10 b and 10 c internestwithin the cavity defined within the respective walls of upper basins 10a and 10 b, respectively, in an internesting manner. Generally, portionsof the first and second end walls and the first and second side walls ofa lower basin project at least partially in the cavity defined by thefirst and second end walls and respective side walls of an upper basin.With this internesting, multiple like basins can be readily stacked uponone another for shipment or packaging. This can reduce the amount ofspace required for such packaging and/or storage in a health carefacility.

IV. Method of Use and Operation

The basin 10 of the current embodiment can be used for a variety ofprocedures including but not limited to irrigation, debridement andwashing of appendages of a subject. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, theuser's appendage 100 is generally placed across the basin aligned withthe longitudinal axis 68 of the basin. Where desired, a first portion ofthe appendage can rest in the first appendage contour 42 and the secondportion of the appendage can rest in the second appendage contour 44.Accordingly, these appendage contours 42, 44 generally support theappendage in two locations. Due to the optional expanded width of theappendage contours 42, 44, they can provide a comfortable seat withsuitable surface area to reduce discomfort or numbness or loss ofcirculation in the appendage.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the appendage 100 is placed within theappendage contour 42, a downward force F is transferred to the appendagecontour 42 and generally to the respective end wall 22. As mentionedabove, the basin can be constructed to have a certain flexibility.Accordingly, when the downward force F is applied to the appendagecontour 42, the side portions 43 and 45 of the appendage contour 42 flexsomewhat, moving generally toward one another to conform slightly moreto the contours of the respective appendage 100 placed within theappendage contour 42. This movement is illustrated in FIG. 9 anddesignated by the arrows 110. The amount of movement and flex orcompliance of the respective side portions in the appendage contour canvary.

In some circumstances, the amount of movement 110 can be as little as1/64″, where in others circumstances it can be up to ¼″ to ½″ to ¾″.Optionally, the movement can range from a lower measurement of 1/64″,1/32″, 1/16″, ⅛″, ¼″, ½″, ¾″ to an upper measurement of 1/32″, 1/16″,⅛″, ¼″, ½″, ¾″, 1″, 1¼″, 1½″, 1 ¾″ to 2″. Of course, appendage contourcan be more or less flexible to provide movement outside of theaforementioned ranges as desired for the application.

Depending on the user's appendage, the amount of force applied to theappendage contour, and the general configuration of the contour, theside portions of the appendage contour 43 and 45, and the contour 42 ingeneral, can provide a slight clamping affect on the portion of thesubject's appendage when that portion is placed in the appendage contourand applies a downward force on the appendage contour. In some casesthis clamping affect applies only a slight lateral force on theappendage within the contour, but if desired, the contour can bemodified so that a greater force is applied to provide a clamping affecton the user's appendage. The clamping effect optionally does not exertmore than 0.5-5 pounds of lateral force, and indeed can be magnitudessignificantly less than that, in the order of ounces or less.

The basin 10 constructed from the flexible material can be adapted sothat a certain portions of the basin are adapted to flex. For example,as shown in FIG. 9, a second appendage 102 is positioned adjacent thebasin 10 and in contact with a side wall 28 of the basin. Due to itsinherent flexibility, the side wall 28, and in particular, the outerwall 53 can bend or otherwise deflect or flex inwardly so that theappendage 102 can rest comfortably against the basin. With thisflexibility, the basin can conform to adjacent appendages when treatedappendages are placed in the basin 10.

The above description is that of the current embodiment of theinvention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departingfrom the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in theappended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with theprinciples of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. Anyreference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using thearticles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” is not to be construed as limitingthe element to the singular.

1. A basin adapted for use in at least one of irrigation, debridementand cleaning, the basin comprising: a first end wall defining a firstappendage contour of a first size, the first appendage contour includingan first inner portion, an first outer portion, a first side portion anda second opposing side portion, the first end wall including a first endwall inner wall and a first end wall outer wall, the first end wallinner wall separated from the first end wall outer wall by an open spacedefined within the first end wall and under the first appendage contour,each of the first end wall inner wall and the first end wall outer walljoined with the first appendage contour and configured to support theinner portion of the first appendage contour and the outer portion ofthe first appendage contour, respectively; a second end wall defining asecond appendage contour of a second size, the second size differentfrom and larger than the first size of the first appendage contour, thesecond appendage contour including a second inner portion, a secondouter portion, a third side portion and a fourth opposing side portion,the second end wall including a second end wall inner wall and a secondend wall outer wall, the second end wall inner wall separated from thesecond end wall outer wall by an open space defined within the secondend wall and under the second appendage contour, each of the second endwall inner wall and the second end wall outer wall joined with thesecond appendage contour and configured to support the inner portion ofthe second appendage contour and the outer portion of the secondappendage contour, respectively; first and second opposing sidewallsextending between and joining the first end wall and the second endwall, the first and second opposing sidewalls and the first and secondend walls each including lower portions that are joined with a bottom soas to form a receptacle for collecting fluids from an appendage placedin at least one of the first appendage contour and the second appendagecontour and washed with the fluids, wherein at least one of the firstend wall, the bottom and the second end wall define an outlet portextending at least partially therethrough, wherein at least a portion ofthe bottom is sloped toward the outlet port so that the fluidscontacting the at least one of the bottom flow by gravity toward the atleast one of the first end wall and the second end wall, wherein thefirst and second opposing sidewalls, the first and second end walls, andthe bottom are in the form of a monolithic, one piece basin constructedfrom a closed cell foam, wherein the first appendage contour of thefirst size is flexible so that the first side portion and the secondside portion of the first appendage contour move toward one another toprovide a clamping effect on a first portion of a subject's appendagewhen the first portion of the subject's appendage is placed in the firstappendage contour and applies a downward force on the first appendagecontour, wherein the first end wall, the second end wall and theopposing side walls are tapered from the lower portion to an upperportion so that multiple, like basins can be stacked one upon the otherin an inter-nesting manner.
 2. The basin of claim 1 wherein the secondappendage contour of the second size is flexible so that the third sideportion and the fourth side portion of the second appendage contour movetoward one another to provide a clamping effect on a second portion of asubject's appendage when the second portion of the subject's appendageis placed in the second appendage contour and applies a downward forceon the second appendage contour.
 3. The basin of claim 1 wherein thefirst and second opposing sidewalls, the first and second end walls, andthe bottom are constructed from a single, generally uniform thickness,layer of closed cell foam.
 4. The basin of claim 3 wherein the singlelayer of closed cell foam is contiguous among the first and secondopposing sidewalls and the first and second end walls.
 5. The basin ofclaim 4 wherein the port is defined in at least one of the first endwall and the second end wall, wherein the first and second appendagecontours are adapted to be aligned with the longitudinal axis of thesubject's appendage, wherein the port is aligned generally in parallelwith the longitudinal axis of the subject's appendage.
 6. The basin ofclaim 5 wherein the first and second sidewalls are separated by a firstdistance adjacent the first appendage contour, wherein the first andsecond sidewalls are separated by a second distance adjacent the secondappendage contour, wherein the first distance is less than the seconddistance so that the opposing sidewalls taper generally from near thefirst appendage contour to near the second appendage contour, wherebythe sidewalls generally form an ergonomic shape that comfortably fitsadjacent another appendage adjacent the appendage placed in at least oneof the first and second appendage contours.
 7. The basin of claim 1wherein each of the opposing sidewalls are hollow, and each include asidewall inner wall and a sidewall outer wall.
 8. The basin of claim 7wherein the sidewall outer wall includes a support flange that extendslaterally away from the bottom, whereby the support flange providesstability to the basin.
 9. The basin of claim 1 comprising a pluralityof baffles adjacent the bottom and an open cell reticulated foam insertplaced adjacent and supported by the plurality of baffles, the open cellreticulated foam insert generally spanning between the first end walltoward the second end wall.
 10. A basin adapted for use in at least oneof irrigation, debridement and cleaning, the basin comprising: a firstend wall; a second end wall distal from the first end wall; a first sidewall, a second side wall opposite the first side wall, wherein the firstand second side walls are connected to and join the first and second endwalls, wherein the first and second end walls define first and secondappendage contours, respectively, the contours being aligned along alongitudinal axis, the first and second appendage contours being ofdifferent size with the first appendage contour larger than the secondappendage contour, wherein the first end wall, second end wall, firstside wall and second side wall all include respective lower portionsthat are joined with a bottom to form an interior receptacle; whereinthe first end wall, second end wall, first side wall and second sidewall each include inner wall portions that face the interior receptacle,and outer wall portions that face an exterior of the basin, wherein theinner wall portions and outer wall portions are separated from oneanother to form a cavity therebetween, wherein the first end wall,second end wall, first side wall, second side wall and bottom areconstructed from a closed cell foam and are in the form of a monolithicone piece basin, wherein the first end wall, second end wall, first sidewall and second side wall are tapered from the lower portion to an upperportion so that a plurality of like basins can be stacked one upon theother, in an inter-nesting manner, with portions of the first end wall,second end wall, first side wall and second side wall of a lower basinprojecting at least partially into the cavity defined within the firstend wall, second end wall, first side wall and second side wall of anupper basin.
 11. The basin of claim 10 wherein the wherein the firstappendage contour includes a first side portion that is positionedadjacent a first side of a subject's appendage and a second side portionthat is positioned adjacent a second side of a subject's appendage, thefirst side portion and second side portion flexible so that the firstside portion and the second side portion of the first appendage contourmove toward one another to conform to a first portion of a subject'sappendage when the first portion of the subject's appendage is placed inthe first appendage contour and applies a downward force on the firstappendage contour
 12. The basin of claim 10 comprising a plurality ofbaffles projecting upwardly from and integral with the bottom, each ofthe baffles being constructed from a layer of foam that is contiguouswith the bottom, each of the baffles defining a cavity therein.
 13. Thebasin of claim 10 comprising an open cell reticulated foam insertpositioned above the bottom, the open cell reticulated foam insertgenerally spanning from the first end wall toward the second end wall.14. The basin of claim 10 wherein the first end wall, second end wall,first side wall, second side wall and bottom are constructed from asingle, generally uniform thickness layer of closed cell foam.
 15. Thebasin of claim 10 wherein the bottom slopes toward the first end wall sothat fluids drain by gravity toward at least one of the first end walland the second end wall.
 16. The basin of claim 15 wherein at least oneof the bottom, the first end wall and the second end wall defines anoutlet and a conduit is joined with the outlet, wherein the outlet isgenerally aligned with the appendage of a subject when the appendage isplaced over the basin, whereby the conduit can extend from at least oneof the first end wall and the second end wall, generally out of the wayof an attending health care provider, and generally away from anotherappendage of the subject.
 17. A basin adapted for use in at least one ofirrigation, debridement and cleaning, the basin comprising: a flexiblebody including a first wall defining an appendage contour adapted toreceive a portion of a subject's appendage and a second wall joined withthe first wall, the flexible body including a bottom and a receptacle,the receptacle bounded by the first end wall, the second wall and thebottom, the receptacle adapted to collect fluids washed over thesubject's appendage, wherein the appendage contour includes first andsecond side portions, and is operable in a flexed mode and a relaxedmode, wherein the first and second side portions are at a predetermineddistance from one another in the relaxed mode, wherein the first andsecond side portions flex inward to reduce the predetermined distance inthe flexed mode to generally conform to at least a portion of thesubject's appendage when the subject's appendage provides a downwardforce on at least a portion of the appendage contour, wherein at leastone of the first wall and the second wall include an inner wall and anouter wall separated by a cavity defined within the respective at leastone of the first and second walls, the cavity opening downwardly, andwherein at least one of the first wall and the second wall generallytaper outwardly from an upper portion to a lower portion of therespective at least one of the first and second walls to provideintegral stiffening to the at least one of the first wall and the secondwall.
 18. The basin of claim 17 wherein the flexible body is constructedfrom a chemically cross linked polyethylene foam having a density ofabout 3 to about 4 pounds per cubic foot.
 19. The basin of claim 17wherein the first wall and second wall are part of a common curve. 20.The basin of claim 17 wherein the appendage contour spans from the innerwall portion and outer wall portion of the first wall, wherein thecavity is defined by the inner wall portion, the outer wall portion andthe appendage contour, and wherein the inner wall portion, the outerwall portion and the appendage contour are formed by a continuous closedcell foam layer and are of generally the same thickness.